There are 1.5 billion men online worldwide compared to 1.3 billion women. The conclusion from the UN study is that device makers should consider it an “emerging market” bigger than that of China or India.

There is a “significant and pervasive” gap between women and men in access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), which could widen if nothing is done, according to a United Nations study.

The report indicated that around the world, women were getting online later and more slowly than men, noted a report released over the weekend by the Broadband Commission Working Group on Broadband and Gender.